Laura Pitcher

Laura Pitcher, Accredited Hand Therapist, Occupational Therapist.

Laura qualified as an occupational therapist in in 1998, choosing to specialise in hand therapy early on in her career. She has completed relevant post graduate study to become an accredited Hand Therapist (BAHT) enabling her to provide expert hand therapy and rehabilitation to clients with hand injuries and conditions. Laura is based in Wirral, visiting clients in North West England, and North Wales.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is pressure on a nerve in your wrist. It causes tingling, numbness and pain in your hand and fingers. It can sometimes stop the muscles around the thumb from working properly. Often surgery is also required, but not always.

A congenital hand condition is one noted at birth. Anomalies can be relatively minor, such as an angulation of the little finger (clinodactyly/camptodactyly) or can be more significant, such as hypoplasia which is when a finger or thumb hasn’t developed properly.

CRPS is a condition in which a person experiences persistent severe and debilitating pain. Although most cases of CRPS are triggered by an injury, the resulting pain is much more severe and long-lasting than would be expected. The pain is usually confined to one limb, but it can sometimes spread to other parts of the body.

The skin of the affected body part can become so sensitive therfore just a slight touch, bump or even a change in temperature can provoke intense pain. Affected areas can also become swollen, stiff or undergo fluctuating changes in colour or temperature.

A neurological disorder can result in a range of symptoms including tone changes and the inability to use the hand and arm effectively for function. Sometimes the joints can become tight in one position and need assistance to be stretched out. Sensation can also be affected.

This is when the nerve is trapped at the elbow where the “funny bone” gets knocked. It often causes tingling and numbness in the little and ring fingers and can affect the movement in the muscles and finger position and reduces grip.